BDes Visual Communication Design at University of Washington

Programme overview

The Division of Design educates and trains designers to create and develop concepts that optimize the function, value, and appearance of communications, products and systems for the benefit of both industry and society. Within the Division of Design, there are three majors: Visual Communication Design, Industrial Design and Interaction Design.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Art, Art History, and Design | Duration: 94-96 credits | Location: Seattle, WA, United States

What you will study

94-96 credits; Successful completion of design admission selection process; 84-86 credits from DESIGN 206, DESIGN 207, DESIGN 208, DESIGN 209, DESIGN 210, DESIGN 211, DESIGN 316, DESIGN 317, DESIGN 318, DESIGN 319, DESIGN 320, DESIGN 322, DESIGN 324, DESIGN 326, DESIGN 445, DESIGN 446, DESIGN 485, DESIGN 486; 10 credits of art history (ART H-prefixed courses)

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

3.00 minimum GPA For currently enrolled students Admission to Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Visual Communication Design: DESIGN 166. Students receiving a minimum 3.7 grade in DESIGN 166 are admitted. Students below a minimum 3.7 grade may apply to the design program via the design workshop in June. For details on the design workshop, see department website. For transfer students Admission to Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Visual Communication Design: DESIGN 166 (see admission requirements for currently enrolled students) or the equivalent of DESIGN 166 at their previous school. Students apply for admission to the UW, and attend the design workshop in June. Transfer students should meet with a School of Art adviser prior to applying to the UW to discuss the design workshop and selection process. See program guides at department website for specific information. ...

Domestic applicants: USD 12,664 a year (2026-27). Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and fac Source

International applicants: USD 44,580 a year (2026-27). Non-Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and Source

First-year entry quarters: Autumn (begins late September), Winter (begins early January; not open to international first-year applicants), Summer (begins mid-June; most degree-seeking students apply for Autumn). Spring quarter is not open to first-year applicants.

Transfer entry: Autumn and Summer quarters; Spring quarter transfer admission is open only to applicants to specific departments in engineering and computer science.

First-year applications for Autumn (and Summer) open August 15 and close November 15; notification March 1-15. Winter applications open August 1 and close September 1, with notification in November and December. The UW does not offer early decision or early action. Apply through the Common App.

First-year application fee is $85 for U.S. students (fee waivers available) and $95 for international students (no fee waivers). Application requires a Common App essay and a self-reported academic record in STARS. SAT/ACT scores are not required for most applicants; homeschooled applicants and applicants from schools without letter or numeric grades must submit SAT or ACT scores. International applicants submit TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting the minimum English proficiency requirement.

Transfer applications for Autumn and Summer open December 15 and close February 28; notification May 1 to June 30. Transfer application fee is $85 (U.S., fee waivers available) or $95 (international, no fee waivers). SAT/ACT scores are not required for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admit.washington.edu/apply/

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities